God has a plan for your life…
It’s playing out now…
What story is your life telling?
I always hear this question framed from the perspective of a legacy left behind. Something like, “When you’re gone, how will you be remembered?” Honestly, I think framing the question that way subtly betrays the present micro decisions in order to communicate a macro truth.
Seriously… right now… if someone were to summarize your life in 1 or 2 sentences, what would it communicate?
“Josh. He’s lived his entire life waiting for God to explicitly tell him his calling. All the while, those of whom God has called him to influence have unknowingly been waiting for him to act in accordance with what has already been revealed.”
Tragic. I have to confess that this truth wrecks me over and over again. Why is it that I get sucked into this vortex of thinking God’s ultimate plans for my life are somewhere off in the distant future? Coaxed into believing that everything I experience is “preparation” for some higher, bigger, more influential calling. I wish it were just me…
I hear so many stories, testimonies, and laments of people who have been told repeatedly that God has a plan. That they should be patient and wait. That all things work together for good for those of whom God has called according to his purposes (Romans 8:28). That there is something in their lives that is not yet fulfilled. It’s like a mantra that listeners recite to anyone else experiencing turmoil, confusion, or uncertainty.
Yes, God has a plan. But NOT at the expense of His promised life and calling in the present.
The truth is… (for the Christian) there is no higher, bigger, more influential, or more important calling than where God has you currently. Period.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
Jesus was not speaking to a reality off in the distance. Life abundant is intended to be the life you’re living. His Kingdom is intended be in and among His followers.
Oh, how much life is stolen, killed, and destroyed thinking we are only on the outskirts of God’s plans… wasting away in deferred promises of an abundant life that is only dreamed of, but never obtained.
I ask again… what story is your life telling?
The most effective scheme the enemy has in our lives is not the blatant dismantling of God’s plans via circumstances… rather, it is the slow attrition of God’s plan by wooing us into inaction. If we’re convinced that God’s plan is not permeating our lives, we will live as such.
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
Mark 4:30-32
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.
Luke 17:20-21
Why all these mentions about the “Kingdom of God”? Because that is God’s plan for the world! For our our lives to so brightly reflect His character in creation, that His Kingdom is visible on earth. And it is in the midst of us! That means our lives are intended to engage and respond to this reality… not as if it will show up in our lives at some point, but as if it were already there.
Not only is that an honorable privilege, but it is the most soul-satisfying and joyful way to live. And it brings striking clarity to the fog we sometimes perceive our calling to be.
I realize that most of what I’ve already written is geared for the professing Christian. This is not a post that many non-Christians will read to be convinced that Christ is authentic. If you are a non-Christian reading this, though… please realize that much of the behavior you witness in myself and other Christians is indicative of what was just written. It exposes some of the dissatisfaction you might be seeing. It might even be what has deterred you from considering or pursuing Jesus.
All things considered, please know this… God has a plan for you. And you’re in it right now. What will it take for you to grab hold of it to seek out His heart for this world and its people? What story do you want your life to tell?
Praying for confidence in His promises and eternal perspective to see your own life in His hands.
In Christ,
Josh
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